A blog about an average girl who just happens to have Cerebral Palsy

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Supermarket Shopping

There are times when I feel like I practically live in the supermarket. I know that I talk about it a lot in my posts, but there are times when trying to navigate the endless isles and trolleys almost reduces me to tears.

When I was at university, I had help from an outside care agency who would help me run my weekly errands, but every now and then I would run out of those odd little things like milk and bread that send you into meltdown as soon as you don’t have them in the house.

So I would grab my old Kaye Walker frame Betsy and head on out to the store. Thankfully I lived across the road from two little express branches of two big supermarket chains so at least getting there and back wasn’t too difficult.

The staff in both stores were usually pretty helpful and would offer to carry my basket of goods around the shop for me. As much as I would’ve loved to accept their help but I always had to decline. I liked to try and carry things for myself, or at least hook the basket over the side of the frame, because I didn’t want my shopping to get too heavy for me to carry home without me noticing. Sometimes, people would look a bit confused until I explained my logic and then they understood. A lot of them would still stand in the queue at the till for me when it got to the time for me to pay for things because the spaces are often narrow because of special offer displays. By that point my arms I usually so tired that I’m really grateful for the small rest before walking home again.

I always have to try and avoid using self-service checkouts no matter where I am. They get on my nerves because I often move too slowly for them and they end up asking me over and over about wanting to continue and sometimes I end up having to start all over again. I get really flustered and paranoid that everyone else in the shop will be looking at me, or waiting to use the machine.

Thankfully, while I live at home, my mum takes care of that kind of stuff at least, but I’ll always try and get a few things for her on my way home if I’m passing through town to try and help her out a bit. As much as I’m not a fan of going food shopping, I know it’s something that I should get as much practice as possible to get better at it.

At first I used to leave it until the last muniute befoe I went and got anything, but then I realised that it was much easier if I got a few small things every day. It was really annoying but better in the long run.

I dislike shopping. At the moment my husband and I are doing Lite n Easy (where they deliver the entire weeks worth of food, all pre prepared and ready to eat) which I am loving. Asides from already having lost almost five kilos, I love love love the no shopping, no cooking and no washing up (well, minimal – still have to buy milk, and still have to wash cutlery and the odd glass) aspect of it all. Does your local grocery store do home delivery? That could be worth the few extra bob, or even internet ordering? I know I often see the COLES van around my suburb doing drop offs. Again, could be well worth the extra few pounds or dollars, and with the added advantage of no impulse buys! I purchased a mascara and a lipstick last time I popped in for some milk – costing me an extra $35… oops. hehe.